£50k needed to complete life-size Royal Welsh Fusilier statue at Hightown Barracks as costs rise by over 25%

Work is progressing on a statue to commemorate the Royal Welch Fusiliers at the former Hightown Barracks – but £50,000 is still needed to complete the project.

As we reported last week a lifesize bronze of a Royal Welsh Fusilier and Regimental Goat is to be installed as part of a memorial garden at the entrance to the barracks on Kingsmills Road, with hopes for a formal unveiling on St David’s Day next year.

The project is the brainchild of Hermitage Councillor Graham Rogers, who approached Offa Community Council with the idea back in 2017.

Since then a bus shelter has since been moved further along the road, and a lamppost placed outside the site by Wrexham Council as part of the preparations for the work which has finally got underway this month.

While the project has the backing of the community council which has driven the fundraising, costs have since risen from £95,000 to just more than £120,000 over the last few years.

A total of £70,000 has been raised so far enabling a start to be made, and although there is a shortfall of £50,000, Cllr Rogers is determined the money can, and will, be raised for its completion through further funding bids and fundraising contributions.

He said: “The statue will stand at one of the main gateways into Wrexham and will be there for generations to come.

“The barracks in Hightown has a strong association with the borough of Wrexham dating back to the 1750’s.

“I am pleased Offa Community Council members are in support along with the members of the Wrexham Comrades Branch. It was agreed a Royal Welch Fusilier and regimental goat would be a fitting tribute.”

The sculptor commissioned to work on the project is Llandudno based Nick Elphick, whose work has featured on the Discovery Channel, with Dave Cottle Civil Engineering working on the site.

Light installation is being provided by Wrexham-based Stewart Rawson Electrical, which will enable the sculpture to be lit up at night.

Cllr Rogers added: “There will be a display unit installed in the memorial garden. Contained within the display unit will be the history of the association between the Royal Welch and Wrexham borough, and all parties who have kindly contributed towards the project will have their company names displayed within it.”

Any Wrexham companies, businesses or members of the public who wish to contribute donations to complete the project can contact the clerk of Offa Community Council, Karen Benfield on 01978 291562 or by email: [email protected].

By Rory Sheehan – BBC Local Democracy Reporter